So for an early morning buzz - out on the bike and giving it loads.
The focus and attention to my ride is all that I think about and this carries me through my day when I get to work.
Play hard - work hard.
The focus and attention to my ride is all that I think about and this carries me through my day when I get to work.
Play hard - work hard.
Mountain Biking in the South West
I'm absolutely buzzing at the mo'. This Friday, me and a group of mates are off on a mountain biking tour of the South West, it's going to be amazing! We're mainly going to be riding trails in and around Dartmoor and Exmoor. I've done some of them before and they are truly some of the most exciting trails to ride, but I'm that little bit more experienced now and I can't wait to have a go at some of the tougher tracks.
To make sure that we get the most out of our trip, we've done plenty of research, and if you're planning on doing something similar, then I suggest that you do the same. (Check out http://imba.org.uk/ - it's full of useful info and is a really good site for beginners and the more experienced alike). It's especially important at this time of year, when the weather's so frequently cold and wet. Some of the tracks can be pretty slippery after heavy rainfall, so make sure that you have some decent tyres with good tread to avoid any accidents.
It's also important that you choose a trail that matches your ability. There's no point in attempting a trail that's too hard - remember, mountain biking is supposed to be as fun as it is challenging so make sure you get the balance right. There's lots of information available online about various trails and their associated difficulty so it's incredibly easy to find a route that you can feel confident about.
Promoted routes for example, are specific traffic-free trails and there are lots of them across the South West. They're perfect for beginners, but also for those who simply want the traffic-free biking experience. I've done them myself a couple of times, and although they weren't particularly challenging, they tend to be really picturesque routes and the slower pace allows you to take in all the spectacular scenery.
For inspiration, check out a couple of the awesome trails me and my friends are planning on tackling next week - one of my all-time favourites has to be the Princetown to Burrator Resorvoir Route in Dartmoor. (Check out this video to get a taster for what kind of terrain you can expect)
To make sure that we get the most out of our trip, we've done plenty of research, and if you're planning on doing something similar, then I suggest that you do the same. (Check out http://imba.org.uk/ - it's full of useful info and is a really good site for beginners and the more experienced alike). It's especially important at this time of year, when the weather's so frequently cold and wet. Some of the tracks can be pretty slippery after heavy rainfall, so make sure that you have some decent tyres with good tread to avoid any accidents.
It's also important that you choose a trail that matches your ability. There's no point in attempting a trail that's too hard - remember, mountain biking is supposed to be as fun as it is challenging so make sure you get the balance right. There's lots of information available online about various trails and their associated difficulty so it's incredibly easy to find a route that you can feel confident about.
Promoted routes for example, are specific traffic-free trails and there are lots of them across the South West. They're perfect for beginners, but also for those who simply want the traffic-free biking experience. I've done them myself a couple of times, and although they weren't particularly challenging, they tend to be really picturesque routes and the slower pace allows you to take in all the spectacular scenery.
For inspiration, check out a couple of the awesome trails me and my friends are planning on tackling next week - one of my all-time favourites has to be the Princetown to Burrator Resorvoir Route in Dartmoor. (Check out this video to get a taster for what kind of terrain you can expect)
Princetown to Burrator
I've done it about 4 times now and it just doesn't get old. It basically takes you along a granite dust track, but trust me, there are some surprises along the way!
Fun and Fast
It gets pretty tricky in places, there's a huge descent at one point and then a steep climb towards the end. Me and my mates always challenge each other to see who can ride up it the farthest, and I'm pleased to say that I am the current record holder!
We're also going to try out the Bellever and Stepping Stones Route. I've heard that it's an awesome trail and that it's pretty tough-going, but I'm confident that I'm more than up to the challenge! It's supposed to be really varied - it's got some awesome descents and testing flat sections, uphill climbing and even a few river crossings to manouvure - I literally can't wait!
Anyways, I'll update you all on how the tour goes as soon as I get back. In the meantime - keep on riding hard and playing hard!
We're also going to try out the Bellever and Stepping Stones Route. I've heard that it's an awesome trail and that it's pretty tough-going, but I'm confident that I'm more than up to the challenge! It's supposed to be really varied - it's got some awesome descents and testing flat sections, uphill climbing and even a few river crossings to manouvure - I literally can't wait!
Anyways, I'll update you all on how the tour goes as soon as I get back. In the meantime - keep on riding hard and playing hard!
As you know, me and a group of mates recently went on a mountain biking tour of the South West - well, it was absolutely awesome! I took a pretty epic tumble on one of the tougher trails, but I'm still here to tell the tale, and all I can think about now is planning our next tour!
Me and 3 of my closest buddies have had our eye on doing some of the Pyrenees circuits. It's been a bit of a pipe dream up until now, mainly due to a lack of funds. But we've all been putting a little money aside and now we're gonna go ahead and book to go in June of next year. I can't wait, the South West was wicked, but this is gonna top that by far. The Pyrenees has taken on legendary status among mountain bikers. It's known to have some of the finest off-roading in the world, with trails for all levels of ability and experience. And of course, the famous Col de Mente climb, which is a regular feature in the tour de France. (That's the one I've got my eye on!).
Even though the idea of having a guide might not sit well with the more experienced biker, it's definitely worth it if you're planning on riding some of the tougher trails. There's quite a lot of marshes and boggy areas, so it's worth having someone around with local knowledge to ensure you don't literally get stuck in the mud! Also, with an experienced guide at hand you know that you're guaranteed to get to ride all the best trails.
All you really need to know is that the Pyrenees is literally a mountain biker's dream. The tracks are renowned for their quality and smoothness, and as for the scenery...you can't really beat the feeling of cycling full-pelt through pine-scented forests, surrounded by snowy mountains, leaving nothing behind you, but a trail of dust as you career around hairpin bends.
French cycling routes website.
Check out some of this awesome vid below to get an idea of just how epic the landscape is.
Me and 3 of my closest buddies have had our eye on doing some of the Pyrenees circuits. It's been a bit of a pipe dream up until now, mainly due to a lack of funds. But we've all been putting a little money aside and now we're gonna go ahead and book to go in June of next year. I can't wait, the South West was wicked, but this is gonna top that by far. The Pyrenees has taken on legendary status among mountain bikers. It's known to have some of the finest off-roading in the world, with trails for all levels of ability and experience. And of course, the famous Col de Mente climb, which is a regular feature in the tour de France. (That's the one I've got my eye on!).
Even though the idea of having a guide might not sit well with the more experienced biker, it's definitely worth it if you're planning on riding some of the tougher trails. There's quite a lot of marshes and boggy areas, so it's worth having someone around with local knowledge to ensure you don't literally get stuck in the mud! Also, with an experienced guide at hand you know that you're guaranteed to get to ride all the best trails.
All you really need to know is that the Pyrenees is literally a mountain biker's dream. The tracks are renowned for their quality and smoothness, and as for the scenery...you can't really beat the feeling of cycling full-pelt through pine-scented forests, surrounded by snowy mountains, leaving nothing behind you, but a trail of dust as you career around hairpin bends.
French cycling routes website.
Check out some of this awesome vid below to get an idea of just how epic the landscape is.
Anyway I'm gonna sign off now, all this talk of the Pyrenees has got me all inspired. I'm off to grab my bike and get some practice in - I think I might just need it!